Radio Atlantic, IA – AM 1220

Fire destroys Bluffs school’s properties

August 16th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

A fire over the weekend at an office trailer and separate storage facility owned by the Council Bluffs Community School District has been deemed “suspicious” in nature.

The fire on the property located near the Wilson Middle School and the City of Council Bluffs-owned Pirate Cove Water Park was reported at around 3:30-a.m., Sunday.

Council Bluffs Fire Marshal’s Office Investigator Dan Busch said the fire started in the office trailer. The flames also damaged equipment and supplies in the nearby storage shed, including two John Deere mowers, a front-end loader, a Gator utility vehicle, a walk-behind mower and a number of blowers and weed eaters, as well as painting equipment and supplies. School district officials estimated the damages at more than $100,000.

Busch told the Omaha World-Herald that, while the cause of the fire was still under investigation, it appeared suspicious in nature. He said they’re asking the community for any information they may have with regard to the blaze. A $15,000 reward is available through the Arson Hotline at 800-532-1459.

Friday’s football game between Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson will go on as scheduled at the stadium. Buildings and grounds foreman Joseph Smith said anything damaged in the storage shed that will be needed for the game — number markers and pylons — have already been ordered and should be received by tomorrow (Wednesday).